Method of making a button element



July 2, 1935. w. c. BROADWELL METHOD OF MAKING A BUTTON ELEMENT Filed Nov. 15, 1935 INVENTOR MM M 6. W

ATTORNEYS Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFF! ca 1 2,006,535 I METHOD or MAKING A BUTTONELEMENT William C. 'Bro adwell, Forest Hills, N.Y. appiicauonnmmb r is, 1933, Serial No. 698,139

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of making button elements, such as are adapted to .be ,used. for example, in connection withgarment supports of the button-loop type.

An important objector .the invention is to @provide an improved method .by which button elements, which are simple in construction and re liable in voperation, may be economically manulfactured.

Other objects .andadvantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which- 3 Fig. l is arface view of one form of garment support, with which a button element produced in accordance with the present inventionis adapted to be used; Fig. 2 is a ,transversesectional View taken on line 2-- 2 of Fig. 1; Fig.3 is arear view of the support shown in Fig. ,1, the suspension member for the support being omitted; Fig. A is a view similar to Fig. .1 and showing another form of support, with whi oh a button element produced in accordancewith the present invention is adapted tobeused; Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on,line-5--5 of Fig. .4; Fig. 6 is a rear view of the clasp showni'nliig. 4, the suspension member for the support bei omitted; Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the button element andits associated retaining strap shown in Figs. 1 to 6; and/Fig. 81511 view showing in section a mold by which the ,button element of Figs. 1 to 7 may be formed, the button element and its included retaining strap being shown in section onaaplane passing centrallygand longitudinally through the button element and its includedstrap. V 7

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 5 indicates a flexible suspension memben such as a garter strap or the like, to which a garment support, with which a button element produced in accordance with the present invention, is adapt ed to be connectednfor longitudinal adjustment thereon.

The particulargarment support hereinshown as adapted for-use with a button element produced in accordance with the present invention includesa loop or loop-like member 6, of suitable material such assheet metal, the innerwalllike'edge of the loop opening I presenting a pair of inwardly projecting lugs 8 atopposite-sides of the loop opening and atpoints-substantially mid way of the lengthof that opening, and further presenting immediately adjacent the lugs Q a pair of downwardly and inwardly inclined button-em gagingwalls l0. f

Associated withtheloopt is a button element [1, which. may be producedin accordance with the present invention and which includes a retaining strap Hand abuttonltthe strapbeing adapted for connection atonerend thereof to the (Cl. 18-959) loop .6 byrneans hereinafterrnore particularly described 7 i According to the present invention, the button elements I I may be produced in quantities by the aid of a suitable mold, which includes a pair of mold members l5 and 16, the latter of which is pro ided with aplurality of mold cavities I'I, only one of which is herein shown but each of which has a configurationconforming to the desired surface contour of the button 14 of the finished button elements. Each of the mold cavities H is formed by reason of the fact that the mold member i6 is so recessed as to provide therein a pocket I8, which registers with an opening 20, provided in a faceplate 2i, secured to the'lower face of the mold member 16.

-In carrying on the method employed in the production of the button elements II, a strip of suitable fabric 22, such as a non-stretchable sheeting, is placed on the upper face of the mold member 15, while the members [5 and I 6 are separated, whereupon a quantity of rubber compound is app-lied to that fabric. After applying the rubber compound, a strip of suitable fabric 25, such as-a stretchable stockinet material, is p laced on top of the rubber compound, whereupon the member I6 is moved downwardly, bysuitable means, into engagement withthe uppermost strip of fabric, with the result that, as the :member l6 assumes its position shown in Fig. 8, the rubber compound is forced upwardly into the mold cavities ll carrying with it portions of the uppermost layer of fabric 25, thus forming the buttons l4, eachof which is characterized by the fact that the displaced portion of the fabric 25 assumes such a position, as shown-in Figs. 2,5, 7 and 8, and it serves as a reinforcing element for the button. As the member [6 assumes its position shown in Fig. 8, the rubber compound is not only displaced in the mannerdescribed, but it is also caused to enter and fill the spaces between the threads of the fabric so that the fabric and the rubber compound are firmly united into a unitary structure to be subjected to vulcanization within the mold. Upon completing'the molding operation just described, the button elements I I may be blanked or otherwise removed from the unitary structure, each button element being reinforced with respect to its included strap l2 as well as its included button H by reason of the presence of the fabrics 22 and 25. v

A pronounced peculiarity of the button element. H, .herein disclosed, resides in the fact that as the garment subjected to tension, incident-to the downward pull exerted thereon when worn, the relatively soft marginal flange-like edges of the button are deflected or urged into impinging engagement with the garment, at points whereit is confined between suched es ing. Despite the and the underlying portions of the loop 6, and exert on the garment a holding eifect which increases in intensity as the downward pull on the garment is increased. Deflection of the button edges in the manner mentioned may be readily accounted for when it is taken into account that such gripping action as is exerted on the garment, by reason of its being impinged between the shank portion 26 of the button and the button-engaging walls ID of the loop; is insufficient to so hold the garment asto prevent the transmission of tension through it to the garment material overlying the button head, it being understood that any tension so transmitted to said overlying material will of necessity react on the relatively thin and yieldable button edges to urge them into intimate and efiective restraining engagement with the garment at points directly therebeneath. a

In order that a relatively large area of the button element may be utilized to grip the garment between the shank portion 26 of the button and the button-engaging walls ID of the loop 6, such shank portion is shaped, as shown by the dotted lines 21 in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6, to conform to the inclination of the button-engaging'walls when the button is positioned as shown in those figures with considerable space remaining between itself and the lower end of the inner wall of the loop opening I, such space being provided in order to permit the button to be moved downwardly Without impinging onany part of the inner wall of the loop opening I exceptthe button engaging walls IE3, between which and the shank portion 26 of the button the garment is gripped with increasing force as the button is moved further toward the lower end of the loop openfact that the distance between the lugs 8 is slightly less than the transverse width of the shank portion 26 of the button, which is required'to pass intermediate such lugs when attaching a garment to the loop 6, these lugs do not unduly restrain such passage of'the button shank therebetween but yet serve to guard against undue displacement of the button in a reverse direction, as when tension is applied to the garment transversely of the retaining strap I2 and in a path across its associated button I4. I

Referring particularly to the form of support shown in'Figs. 1 to 3, it will be noted that the locking means by which the device'is adapted to be adjustably secured to the suspension member 5 includes a grip plate 28, which is formed integral with the loop 6 and is provided at its upper end with a pair of strap-receivingslots 30, 3|, between which is disposed a web bar 32 which is slightly oflset, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, so that the plane of its front face is common to the plane of the rear face of the grip plate. As shown most clearly in Fig. l, the grip plate 28 is provided with a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending slots 34, and is formed with an opening 35, so as to provide a yieldable and more or less resilient tongue 36, to which a bite plate 31 is pivotally connected by a rivet 38, between the outer edge of which plate and the web bar 32 there is afforded a space which is normally slight ly less than the thickness of the clasp-supporting member ,5. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2,. the rivet 36 is utilized as a means for attaching the button element II to the tongue 36, between which and the biteplate 31 the end of the re taining strap l 2 is anchored.

In attaching the support to the suspension member 5, the end of that member is passed through the slot 30 from the rear of the grip plate 28, thence over the web bar 32, and through the space afiorded between the web bar 32 and the outer edgeof the bite plate 31 while holding the tongue 36 sodepressed as toaiiord a substantial clearance between the web bar 32 and the outer edge of the bite plate 31. The sup- ;port may then be adjusted to any desired position longitudinally of the suspension member 5 preparatory to its being locked in a desired position of adjustment, whereupon pressure is released from the tongue 36, thus allowing the bite plate 31 to intimately engage the suspension member in the vicinity of the web bar 32 and at a point offset to the right thereof when viewed in Fig. 2. The locking of the support'on the suspension member 5 maybe easily effected by exerting a pull on the suspension member in the direction of the arrow Ain Fig. 1 while holding the clasp against movement. By reason of such pull on the suspension member 5, the bite plate 31, normally engaging the suspension member in the vicinity of the web bar 32, will exert a further impinging action on that memberand will move with it to a locking position slightly ofiset with respect to the web bar 32 to the left thereof, when viewed in Fig.2, where it is irictionally held against undue reverse movement, movement of the bite plate 31 to its ofiset locking position being permitted due to the flexibility of the tongue 36 and being limited by reason of the fact that the bite plate is adapted to engage the grip plate at points b-b adjacent opposite sides of the tongue 36. To release the support from its locking position on the suspension member 5, it is only necessary to hold the support against movement while exerting a pull on the gripped end of the suspension member in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 1. Such a pull will cause the bite plate 3'| to" move with a snap action to an offset position with respect to the web bar 32 and slightly to the right thereof when viewed in Fig. 2;

Referring to the iorm of support shown in Figs. 4 to 6, it will be noted that the locking means by which the device'is adapted to be adjustably secured to the suspension member 5 difiers from the locking means shown and described'in connection with the form of invention shown in Figs. -1 to 3 in that the grip plate 28" and the bite plate 31 are hingedly connected to the upper end of the loop 6. Despite these changes, the operation of the'locking means is substantially identical with the operation of the locking means shown in Figs. 1 to 3. 7 It is to be noted, however, that preparatory to moving the bite plate 31 to its locking position it is necessary to hold it in substantially firm engagement with the supporting member in the vicinity of the web bar 32, so that it will respond to a pull on the suspension member 5 in the direction of the arrow A and thus move with that element to a slightly offset position with respect to the web bar at the left thereof when viewed in Fig. 5.

Referring further to-Figs. 4 to 6, it will be noted that the loop 6 is formed with an aperture 40 and is provided with a struck up tongue 4|, between the end of which and the adjacent portion of the loop is afforded-a slot 42, the width of which, when the tongue is moved into the plane of the loop, is slightly less than the thickness of the retaining strap [2 of the button element H. By utilizingthe tongue 4!, the button element Il may be effectively anchored to the loop 6, and in doing so the supporting strap l2 is passed through the aperture 40 from the rear of the loop, thence upwardly overthe tongue 4i and through the slot 42', whereupon the tongue 4| is moved into the plane of the loop where it exerts an impinging action on the strap 12 which is effective to anchor the button element against undue displacement. 1

It will be understood that variousdepartures may be made with respect to the method herein described without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of making abutton element for use in a garment support of the button loop type by'the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing a fabric and. a layer of rubber compound on one mold member in a contiguous relation to each other and insuch relation to said cavity that said fabric and said compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity and sub jectingsaid compound andsaid' fabrioto' pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of; said compound and a portion of said fabric are forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby other portions of said fabric and said compound outside of said cavity are forced into intimate relation to eacho-ther as elements of a composite tab-forming sheet integral with said button and whereby'the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabric are filled with said compound and whereby'said compound and said fabric are unitedin a unitary structure, and severing from said unitary structure the button and an attached portion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button. I

2. A method of making a button element for use in a garment support of the button-loop type by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing a fabric and a layer of rubber compound on one mold member ina contiguous relation to each other and in such relation to said cavity that said fabric and said compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity and subjecting said compound andsaid -fabric to pressurebetween said mold members by moving onet'oward the other, whereby a portion of said compound and a portionof said fabric are forced into said cavity as elements of 'acomp'os ite button there formed and whereby other pore tions of said fabric and said compound outside of said cavity are forced into intimate relation to each other as elements of a composite tab-forming sheet integral with said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the; threaded said fab-, ric are filled with said compound andv whereby said compound and said fabric are united in a unitary structure, subjecting said unitary structure to vulcanization, and severing. from said unitary structure the buttonand' an attached portion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

3. A method of making. a button element for use in a garment support or the button-loop type by the aid of a pair of mold members one of' which is provided. with. a mold cavity; comprising so superimposing a fabric on one mold member that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity,- so superimposinga quantity of rubber compound on said fabric that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so superimposing a fabric-onsaid rubber compound that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity and subjecting said compound" and said fabrics to pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of said compound and a portion'of one of said fabrics are forced into saidcavityas elements of a composite button there formed and whereby a portion of each fabric and a portion of said compound are forced into intimate relation to each other outside of said cavity to there form a composite tab-formingsheet integral with said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabrics are filled with said compound and whereby said'compound andsaid fabrics are united in a unitary structure, and severing from said'unitary structure the button and an attached portion of said tabforming sheet to obtain a" button ele-' ment wherein the severed portion of said tab forming sheet constitutes a tab in integralassociation with thebutton.

4;. AL method of making abutton element for usein a garment support of the button-loop type by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising sosuperimposing a fabric on one mold member that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so superimposing a quantity of rubber compound on said fabric that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so. superimposing a fabric on said rubber compound that it overlies andextends beyond said cavity and subjecting said compound and said fabrics to pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of-said compound and a portion of one of said fabrics are forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby aportion of each fabric and a'port'ionof said compound are forced into intimate relation to each other outside of said cavity to there form a composite tab-form ng sheet integral with said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabrics'are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and" said fabrics are united in a unitary structure, subjecting said unitary structure to-vulcanizati'on, and severing from said unitarystructure the button and an attached portion-of said tab forming sheetto obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with thebutton. e

5. A method of making a button element by thejaid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing a. stretchable fabric and a layer of rubber compound on one mold member in a contiguous relation to each other and in such relation to said cavity that said fabric and said compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity, and subjecting said compound and said fabric to pressure between said mold members by moving onetoward the other, whereby a portion of said compound and a portion of said fabric are forced 'into said cavity as elements of a compositebutton there formed and whereby other portions of said fabric and said compound outside of said cavityare forced into intimate relation to each other as elements of a composite tab-forming sheet integral with said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabric are" filled withsaid compound and whereby'said compound and said fabric are united in a unitary structure, and severing from said unitary structure the button and an attachedportion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

6. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing a stretchable fabric and a layer of rubber compound on one mold member in a contiguous relation to each other and in such relation to said cavity that said fabric and said compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity, subjecting said compound and said fabricto pressure between said mold members by moving one towardthe other, whereby a portion of said compound and a portion of said fabric are forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby other portions of said fabric and said compound outside of said cavity are forcedinto intimate relation to each other as elements of a composite tab-forming sheet integral with said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabric are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabric are united in a unitary structure, subjecting said unitary structure to vulcanization, and severing from said unitary structure the button and an attached portion of said tabforming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

7. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising so superimposing a non-stretchable fabric on one mold member that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so superimposing a quantity of rubber compound on said fabric that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so superimposing a stretchable fabric on said rubber compound that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity and subjecting said compoundand said fabrics to pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of said compound and a portion of said stretchable fabrics are forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby'a portion of each fabric and a portion of said compound are forced into intimate relation to each other outside of said cavity to there form a composite tab-forming sheet integral with said but ton and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabrics are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabrics are united in a unitary structure, and severing from said unitary structure the button and an attached portion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

8. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising so superimposing a non-stretchable fabric on one mold member that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so superimposing a quantity of rubber compound on said fabric that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so superimposing a stretchable fabric on said rubber compound that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity,

subjecting said compound and" said fabrics to pressure between saidmold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of said compound and a portion of said stretchable fabrics are forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby a portion ofeach fabric and a portion of; said compound are forced into intimate relation to each other outside of said cavity to there form a composite tab-formingssheet integral with said button and whereby, the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabrics are filled with said compound -and whereby said compound and said fabrics are united in a unitary structure, subjecting said unitary structure to vulcanization, and severing from said unitary structure the button and an attached portion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

9. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing a non-stretchable fabric and a layer of rubber compound on one mold member in a contiguous relation to each other and in such relation to said cavity that said fabric and said compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity, and subjecting said compound and said fabric to pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of said compound is forced into said cavity to there form a button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabric are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabric are united in a unitary structure, and severing from said unitary structure the button and a portion of said overlying fabric and a portion of said overlying compound to obtain a button element wherein the severed portions of said fabric and said compound constitute a tab in integral association with the button.

10. A method ofmaking a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing a non-stretchable fabric and a layer of rubber compound on one mold member in a contiguous relation to each other and in such relation to said cavity that said fabric and said compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity, subjecting said compound and said fabric to pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of said compound is forced into said cavity to there form a button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabric are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabric are united in a unitary structure, subjecting said unitary structure to vulcanization, and severing from said unitary structure the button and a portion of said overlying fabric and a portion of said overlying compound to obtain a button element wherein the severed portions of said fabric and said compound constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

11. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing on one mold member a fabric and a quantity of rubber compound and a second fabric in a contiguous relation to each other and in such relation to said cavity that the fabrics and the compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity, and subjecting said compound and said fabrics to forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby a portion of each fabric and a portion of said compound are forced into intimate relation to each other outside i of said cavity to there form a composite tabforming sheet integral with said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabrics are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabrics are united in a unitary structure, and severing from said unitary structure the button and an attached portion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with thebutton.

12. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing on one mold member a fabric and a quantity of rubber compound and a second fabric in a contiguous relation to each other and in such relation to said cavity that the fabrics and the compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity, subjecting said compound and said fabrics to pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of said compound and a portion of one of saidfabrics are forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby a portion of each fabric and a portion of said compound are forced into intimate relation to each other outside of said cavity to there form a composite tabforming sheet integral with. said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabrics are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabrics are united in a unitary structure, subjecting said unitary structure to vulcanization, and severing from said unitary structure the button and 'an attached portion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

13. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing on one mold member a non-stretchable fabric and a quantity of rubber compound and a stretchable fabric in a contiguous relation to each other and in such relation to said cavity that the fabrics and the compound overlie and extend beyond said cavity, and subjecting said compound and said fabrics to the pressure between said molds by moving one toward the other whereby a portion of said compound and a portion of said stretchable fabric are forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby a portion of each fabric and a portion of said compound are forced into intimate relation to each other outside of said cavity to there form a composite tab-forming sheet integral with said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabrics are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabrics are united in a unitary structure, and severing from said unitary structure the button and an attached portion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

,14. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising superimposing on one mold member a non-stretchable fabric and a quantity of rubber compound and a stretchable fabric in a contiguous relation to each other, subjecting said compound and said fabrics to the pressure between said molds by moving one toward the other whereby a portion of said compound and a portion of said stretchable fabric are forced into said cavity as elements of a composite button there formed and whereby a portion of each fabric and a portion of said compound are forced into intimate relation to each other outside of said cavity to there form a compositetab-forming sheet integral with said button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabrics are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabrics are united in a unitary structure, subjecting said unitary structure to vulcanization, and severing from said unitary structure the button and an attached portion of said tab-forming sheet to obtain a button element wherein the severed portion of said tab-forming sheet constitutes a tab in integral association with the button.

15. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising so superimposing a non-stretchable fabric on one mold member that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so superimposing a quantity of rubber compound on said fabric that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, and subjecting said compound and said fabric to pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of said compound is forced into said cavity to there form a button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabric are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabric are united in a unitary structure, and severing from said unitary structure the button and a portion of said overlying fabric and a portion of said overlying compound to obtain a button element wherein the severed portions of said fabric and said compound constitute a tab in integral association with thebutton.

16. A method of making a button element by the aid of a pair of mold members one of which is provided with a mold cavity, comprising so superimposing a non-stretchable fabric on one mold member that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, so superimposing a quantity of rubber compound on saidfabric that it overlies and extends beyond said cavity, and subjecting said compound and said fabric to pressure between said mold members by moving one toward the other, whereby a portion of said compound is forced into said cavity to there form a button and whereby the spaces intermediate the threads of said fabric are filled with said compound and whereby said compound and said fabric are united in a unitary structure, subjecting said unitary structure to vulcanization, and severing from said unitary structure the button and a portion of said overlying fabric and a portion of said overlying compound to obtain a button element wherein the severed portions of said fabric and said compound constitute a tab in integral association with the button.

WILLIAM c. BROADWELL. 

